The linesman who disallowed Frank Lampard's "goal" for England against Germany in the teams' World Cup last-16 tie has admitted he was caught out by the speed of the shot.

The Uruguayan official Mauricio Espinosa failed to spot that Lampard's long-range drive had bounced over the line after crashing down off the underside of the bar during England's 4-1 defeat in Bloemfontein on 27 June. Had the goal been given, England would have drawn level at 2-2.

It turned out to be the last game Espinosa was involved in during the finals as Fifa did not include him on their retained list for the last eight and beyond.

"It was a very fast shot that I did not see properly, even though I was located in the right place," he told El País: "We didn't see a replay in the dressing room at half-time but you could sense what had happened. It was only when we saw the TV that we realised what happened.

"I feel quite sad about it because we had prepared for such a long time for the World Cup. It could have happened to anyone, unfortunately it was us. You just have to accept it. Life goes on."